Clipse Ditches Def Jam over Kendrick Lamar verse
Clipse Leaves Def Jam in Bold Move
Clipse, the Virginia hip-hop duo of Pusha T and No Malice, sent shockwaves through the music industry on June 2, 2025, when they revealed they parted ways with Def Jam Recordings over a Kendrick Lamar verse on their upcoming album, Let God Sort Em Out. The album, set for a July 11, 2025, release via Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, marks their first project in 15 years.
Fans are buzzing about the drama, with Pusha T’s manager, Steven Victor, confirming a seven-figure payout to exit Def Jam, driven by the label’s demand to censor Lamar’s verse on “Chains & Whips.” This article dives into why Clipse leaves Def Jam, the Kendrick Lamar verse dispute, their imprint as an iconic rap duo and the Let God Sort Em Out album.
Pusha T and No Malice: A Resilient Duo
Pusha T and No Malice, brothers from Virginia Beach, have defined Clipse since 1994. Blending gritty drug-trade narratives with sharp lyricism. Discovered by Pharrell, they debuted with 2002’s gold-certified Lord Willin’, featuring hits like “Grindin’.” After label disputes with Jive and a 2010 hiatus, Pusha pursued a solo career, while No Malice embraced Christianity. Their 2019 reunion on Kanye West’s “Use This Gospel” and 2022’s “Punch Bowl” with Nigo hinted at a comeback.
Pusha T and No Malice’s refusal to bend on the Kendrick Lamar verse reflects their commitment to authenticity. “We’re meticulous,” Pusha told Hypebeast, emphasizing their care for Let God Sort Em Out. Clipse leaves Def Jam to protect their art, with No Malice calling the Roc Nation move “a new chapter.” Their story resonates with fans who admire their resilience. Especially as Pusha navigates tensions with former allies like Kanye West, whom he criticized in GQ for lacking integrity.
Clipse Leaves Def Jam: A Costly Exit
Clipse leaves Def Jam after a heated standoff over Kendrick Lamar’s guest verse, as revealed by Pusha T in a recent nterview. Def Jam, owned by Universal Music Group (UMG), demanded Pusha T ask Lamar to censor his verse or remove the track entirely, citing concerns over “antagonistic optics” given Lamar and Pusha’s past feuds with Drake, a UMG artist. “I was never doing that,” Pusha T said, calling the label’s stance “stupid.” After a month of resistance, Def Jam’s lawyer, Steve Gawley, offered to drop Clipse, but Pusha insisted his solo deal end too.
The exit wasn’t cheap. Steven Victor told Billboard that Pusha T and No Malice paid a “s**t-ton of money”—a seven-figure sum—to free Clipse and Pusha’s solo career from Def Jam. “Clipse leaves Def Jam with their heads high,” a fan commented. The duo swiftly inked a deal with Roc Nation, finalized in 24 hours, granting them master ownership and creative control. Pusha T and No Malice’s bold move reflects a growing artist push for autonomy. Especially amid Drake’s UMG lawsuit over Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
Kendrick Lamar Verse: The Catalyst
The Kendrick Lamar verse on “Chains & Whips,” the first track recorded for Let God Sort Em Out, sparked the Def Jam fallout. Teased at Pharrell Williams’ 2023 Louis Vuitton runway show, the verse—described by No Malice as “incredible”—contains no Drake disses, per Pusha T. Yet, UMG’s legal team, wary of Drake’s January 2025 defamation lawsuit against them, flagged it as risky due to Pusha and Lamar’s history with Drake. Pusha’s 2018 track “The Story of Adidon” exposed Drake’s son, while Lamar’s 2024 “Not Like Us” dominated charts and Grammys.
“They thought it was too much,” Pusha T told Rolling Stone, noting the verse was “clean, fair game, just good raps.” Refusing to compromise, Clipse leaves Def Jam, preserving the Kendrick Lamar verse intact. The track, featuring lines like “Therapy taught me how to open up/it also showed me I don’t give a f***,” is now a fan favorite, with anticipation building for its July release. The dispute underscores how label politics can clash with artistic vision, fueling fan support for Clipse’s stand.
Let God Sort Em Out: A Long-Awaited Return
Let God Sort Em Out, Clipse’s first album since 2009’s Til the Casket Drops, drops July 11, 2025, via Roc Nation, entirely produced by Pharrell Williams. Recorded at Louis Vuitton’s Paris headquarters, it features Pusha T and No Malice alongside guests like Kendrick Lamar, Nas, John Legend, and Stove God Cooks. The lead single, “Ace Trumpets,” released May 30, 2025, has fans hyped, with its cinematic trailer and KAWS-designed artwork signaling a grand return. “Let God Sort Em Out is gonna be fire,” a supporter said.
Initially slated for a 2024 Def Jam release, the album faced delays due to the Kendrick Lamar verse dispute. Pusha T confirmed its completion in December 2024 at Art Basel Miami, telling Ari Melber, “It’s done, in my phone.” Clipse leaves Def Jam to ensure Let God Sort Em Out reflects their vision, with Roc Nation’s marketing muscle amplifying its rollout. The album, a testament to Pusha T and No Malice’s chemistry, aims to cement Clipse’s legacy in Virginia hip-hop.
The Rise in Artists Cutting Ties With Labels
Clipse’s exit joins a history of artists suddenly leaving labels over creative or personal disputes. Frank Ocean parted with Def Jam in 2016, independently releasing Blonde after fulfilling his contract, frustrated by label interference. Lil Wayne left Cash Money in 2018 after years of delays on Tha Carter V. Ultimately, settling a $51 million lawsuit to gain freedom. Megan Thee Stallion exited 1501 Certified Entertainment in 2023, citing unfair contracts, and signed with Warner Music for distribution.
Kanye West severed ties with Def Jam in 2021, regaining his G.O.O.D. Music masters after public battles over ownership. Taylor Swift left Big Machine in 2018, re-recording her albums to reclaim masters sold to Scooter Braun. These abrupt departures, like Clipse leaves Def Jam, often stem from creative control. In addiiton to financial disputes, or misaligned visions, highlighting artists’ fights for autonomy. The Kendrick Lamar verse saga positions Clipse among those prioritizing art over label politics.
Hype and Support From All Over
Fans on X are electrified by Clipse’s move. “Clipse leaves Def Jam over K-Dot’s verse? Respect!” one posted. Another wrote, “Kendrick Lamar verse staying—that’s real.” A third said, “Let God Sort Em Out bout to slap, Roc Nation’s the spot.” Supporters add, “Pusha T and No Malice did what’s right.” One fan noted, “Seven figures to keep K-Dot? Clipse are legends.”
The Next Steps For Clipse
With Let God Sort Em Out set for July 11, Clipse is poised for a triumphant return. Roc Nation’s artist-friendly deal, per Steven Victor, ensures Pusha T and No Malice own their masters. With rumors of a Jay-Z feature swirling. Clipse leaves Def Jam behind, focusing on a global tour planned for late 2025. Pusha T’s solo projects, now independent, may follow, with fans eyeing a potential Nas collaboration. The Kendrick Lamar verse, preserved at great cost, symbolizes their defiance, setting the stage for a landmark release.
A New Wave Of Clipse
Clipse leaves Def Jam over a Kendrick Lamar verse may seem extreme. However, paying seven figures to protect their vision for Let God Sort Em Out, is necessary. Pusha T and No Malice’s stand against UMG’s demands, fueled by Drake-related tensions, aligns with artists of all genres. A similar scenario to Frank Ocean, who abruptly left labels. The Kendrick Lamar verse on “Chains & Whips” remains, hyping fans for Clipse’s return. As Let God Sort Em Out nears, Clipse’s bold exit ensures their legacy endures, free from label constraints, in 2025’s hip-hop landscape.